Where to Find the Best Breakfast Restaurants in Atlanta

From classic Southern biscuits to global-inspired brunch plates, Atlanta’s breakfast scene is one of the city’s biggest everyday pleasures. Whether you live here, just moved intown, or are visiting for the weekend, there are plenty of spots where you can start your day right in almost every neighborhood.

Below is a practical, locally focused guide to some of the best breakfast and brunch restaurants in Atlanta, plus tips on what each area is known for, what to order, and how to plan your morning.

How to Approach Breakfast in Atlanta

Atlanta’s breakfast culture revolves around a few big themes:

• Southern comfort food: biscuits, grits, fried chicken, and waffles.
• Modern brunch: creative takes on classics, cocktails, and stylish interiors.
• Neighborhood staples: small, reliable spots locals hit on weekdays.
• Grab-and-go options: for commuters and visitors staying near MARTA lines or downtown hotels.

If you’re deciding where to go, think about:

• Location: Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, West Midtown, and the BeltLine are all strong options.
• Style: casual counter-service vs. full-service brunch.
• Timing: wait times can spike on weekends, especially late morning.

Classic Southern Breakfast Spots in Atlanta

These restaurants lean into traditional Southern breakfast: big portions, biscuits, grits, and old-school charm.

The Silver Skillet (West Midtown)

• Known for: Old-fashioned diner vibe and Southern plates.
• Typical orders: Country ham, biscuits and gravy, grits, eggs cooked to order.
• Good for: Early-morning breakfast before work, film buffs who like classic diners.

The Silver Skillet is often considered a quintessential Atlanta breakfast diner, especially convenient if you’re near Midtown, Georgia Tech, or traveling along I‑75/85.

Atlanta Breakfast Club (Downtown)

• Known for: Southern dishes with a fun, modern twist.
• Typical orders: Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, peach cobbler French toast.
• Good for: Visitors staying around Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, or World of Coca‑Cola.

Expect a crowd on weekends, so arrive early or be ready to wait a bit if you’re going mid-morning.

Home Grown GA (Reynoldstown / Edgewood)

• Known for: Cozy, no-frills atmosphere and locally loved Southern comfort food.
• Typical orders: The Comfy (fried chicken on a biscuit with gravy), pancakes, grits, breakfast plates.
• Good for: Intown locals, BeltLine explorers, more casual, laid-back mornings.

Home Grown GA feels like eating in a neighborhood kitchen, and it’s a solid choice if you want a very “Atlanta local” vibe.

Modern Brunch & All-Day Breakfast Favorites

These places are popular with people who want creative menus, lighter options, and brunch-style dishes any day of the week.

West Egg Café (West Midtown)

• Known for: Classic breakfast with a modern spin in a lively, urban setting.
• Typical orders: Peachtree Plate (eggs, meat, grits or potatoes, biscuit), fried green tomato BLT, coffee drinks.
• Good for: Brunch with friends, Georgia Tech area, and people who enjoy a buzzier scene.

West Egg is often busy on weekends; some people time their visit earlier (around opening) or closer to late morning to avoid peak waits.

Sun in My Belly (Kirkwood)

• Known for: Creative brunch plates and a neighborhood feel.
• Typical orders: Honey lavender French toast, breakfast sandwiches, seasonal omelets.
• Good for: Relaxed weekend brunch, couples, and locals on the east side.

This is a good pick if you’re staying near Decatur, East Lake, or Kirkwood and want something brunchy but not overly loud or crowded.

The General Muir (Emory / Toco Hills)

• Known for: New York–style deli meets modern Southern brunch.
• Typical orders: Pastrami or corned beef hash, bagels and smoked fish, shakshuka, pancakes.
• Good for: People who want something beyond biscuits and gravy, brunch with family, Emory-area residents or visitors.

The General Muir is especially convenient if you’re around Emory University, the CDC, or Decatur but want a more contemporary breakfast menu.

Neighborhood Breakfast Gems Across Atlanta

Atlanta is a neighborhood city, and some of the best breakfast restaurants are local staples tucked into specific communities.

R. Thomas Deluxe Grill (Buckhead / Peachtree)

• Known for: Late-night and all-day breakfast with lots of vegetarian and health-conscious options.
• Typical orders: Omelets, tofu scrambles, fresh juices, breakfast burritos.
• Good for: Mixed groups where some want traditional breakfast and others want lighter or plant-forward dishes.

Its funky, colorful patio stands out on Peachtree Road, and many locals treat it as a go-to for off-peak breakfast times.

Buttermilk Kitchen (Buckhead)

• Known for: Scratch-made, farm-inspired Southern breakfast.
• Typical orders: Fried chicken biscuit, pancakes, pimento cheese grits, seasonal jams.
• Good for: Sit-down breakfast in north Buckhead, weekend brunch plans.

Buttermilk Kitchen is popular with Buckhead residents and out-of-town visitors alike, so expect weekend lines. On weekdays, it’s usually easier to get a table.

Flying Biscuit Café (Multiple Locations)

• Known for: Casual Southern breakfast, especially grits and biscuits.
• Typical orders: Grits bowl, breakfast plates, cranberry apple butter with biscuits.
• Good for: Families, large groups, and people who want familiar, consistent breakfast options.

There are multiple Flying Biscuit locations across metro Atlanta, including Midtown, Candler Park, and suburban areas, making it convenient regardless of where you’re staying or living.

Folk Art Restaurant (Inman Park / Poncey-Highland)

• Known for: Comfort-style breakfast and brunch with a bit of edge.
• Typical orders: Corned beef hash, biscuits, hearty scrambles, breakfast tacos.
• Good for: BeltLine walkers, Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward residents, and visitors exploring Ponce City Market.

If you’re spending the day on or near the Eastside BeltLine Trail, this is an easy stop to start your morning.

Decatur & Eastside Breakfast Standouts

If you’re on the east side of Atlanta or in the City of Decatur, you have several strong breakfast choices within a small radius.

Café Alsace (Downtown Decatur)

• Known for: European-style café breakfast and brunch.
• Typical orders: Crepes, quiches, pastries, coffee.
• Good for: Slower, sit-down breakfast, especially if you like French-inspired dishes.

Downtown Decatur is walkable, so you can easily pair breakfast here with a stroll around the square.

Highland Bakery (Multiple Intown Locations)

• Known for: Baked goods plus full breakfast plates.
• Typical orders: Sweet potato pancakes, breakfast burritos, benedicts, pastries.
• Good for: People who want both a pastry case and a full breakfast menu, casual meetups.

Highland Bakery has been a long-time intown go-to; check for the location closest to you (there have been locations in Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, and near Georgia State).

Quick, Casual, and On-the-Go Options

Not every Atlanta morning calls for a full sit-down brunch. If you’re commuting, staying downtown for a convention, or catching MARTA, these types of places can be helpful.

Intown Coffee & Breakfast Counters

You’ll find plenty of small spots that offer bagels, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and coffee in:

• Midtown – around Peachtree Street and 10th–14th Streets.
• Downtown – near Peachtree Center and the hotel cluster by the convention centers.
• Old Fourth Ward / BeltLine – near Ponce City Market.

These are especially good for:

• Weekday breakfasts before work.
• Visitors staying in high-rise hotels who want something walkable.
• People riding MARTA from Midtown Station, Peachtree Center Station, Five Points, or North Avenue.

Planning Tips for Eating Breakfast in Atlanta

Because Atlanta’s best breakfast restaurants can get busy, a little planning goes a long way.

When to Go

• Weekdays:

  • Earlier than 9:00 a.m. is usually easier for walk-in seating.
  • Popular spots near office districts fill up around 8:00 a.m.

• Weekends:

  • 9:30–11:30 a.m. is peak brunch time with longer waits.
  • Try to arrive close to opening or shift later to early afternoon if the restaurant serves brunch past noon.

What to Expect on the Menu

Many of Atlanta’s best breakfast spots serve a mix of:

• Classic Southern items: biscuits, gravy, grits, fried chicken, bacon.
• Lighter options: yogurt, granola, avocado toast, fruit, egg-white omelets.
• Global touches: shakshuka, bagel plates, Latin-influenced dishes, specialty coffees.

If you’re visiting Atlanta, it’s worth trying at least one local favorite such as:

• Shrimp and grits
• Chicken and waffles
• Peach-themed dishes (like peach French toast or peach preserves)

Navigating Traffic and Parking

Because Atlanta is spread out, location matters:

• Downtown / Midtown:

  • Expect more paid parking garages and street parking with meters.
  • MARTA rail can be a smart choice if you’re nearby.

• Buckhead:

  • Many places have parking lots, but they can fill quickly during weekend brunch.

• Decatur and intown neighborhoods:

  • Mixture of small lots and street parking; pay attention to any posted time limits.

If you’re planning breakfast before a flight from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, restaurants in downtown and southside areas are typically more practical than going all the way into Midtown or Buckhead.

Simple Overview: Types of Breakfast Spots in Atlanta

Here’s a quick reference to help you decide what kind of Atlanta breakfast fits your plans:

How to Choose the Right Breakfast Spot in Atlanta

To narrow down your options, consider:

• Where you’re staying or living:

  • Intown areas like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park are dense with options.
  • Buckhead and Decatur have strong neighborhood favorites.

• Your schedule:

  • Tight schedule → coffee shops and counter-service spots.
  • Lazy morning → full-service brunch restaurant.

• Who you’re with:

  • Families often like places with larger menus and kid-friendly items.
  • Groups with varied diets may prefer spots that offer both hearty and lighter dishes.

By thinking through these factors, you can quickly match yourself with one of Atlanta’s many standout breakfast restaurants and start your day with something that actually fits your plans, not just your appetite.